[Leica] Future R Plan

[leicachris at worldnet.att.net (Christopher Williams)]

Although Fuji digital SLR's produce excellent images. The build quality
sucks if you are going to compare it to a Leica R8/R9. I cannot imagine
Sigma being any better when it comes to build quality. And don't even start
with a Kodak/Leica SLR.

I picked up a Canon 20D last night, felt like a toy. Even the 10D was better
in quality terms.

Chris



----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen Gandy"
Subject: [Leica] Future R Plan


> I can understand why you would think I am advocating abandonment of the R
system,
> but that would make no sense financially.
>
> Leica has a huge investment in the R system.  the problem is how to get a
return
> on that investment.
>
> 1) Leica R glass is probably the best SLR glass available overall.  About
60% of
> the independent manuf SLR lens sales are Nikon AIS.  to make profit on R
glass,
> Leica needs to sell that glass in Nikon AIS mount
>
> 2) Leica is rumored to have a large quantity of unsold R9 bodies.  Leica
needs to
> turn that inventory into cash. The way to do that is to announce that R
SLR bodies
> are discontinued.  This would turn a slow seller into a hot seller as
people go
> for the last German R body.
>
> 3) Staying with lenses in R mount and Nikon mount, Leica needs to license
the R
> body mount, allowing other manuf to make R cameras.   This is a fast,  no
cost way
> for Leica to offer their fans digital R bodies, while at the same time
making a
> license fee off each body without investment.   Imagine a Kodak 14MP or
Sigma or
> the latest 12 MP Fujica digitals in Leica R mount.  Of course those
digital bodies
> would would also sell more a hell of a lot of  Leica made R lenses.
>
> I believe these three plans would result in a big R system profit.
>
> Stephen Gandy